New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-22
THE POPES LETTER.

The letter from Pope Leo XIII. to Arch
bishop Corrigan which we publish this morn
ing leaves no room for misunderstanding OF
caviL Taken in connection with the recent re-
fusal of the Roman See to condemn the Knights
of Labor. it furnishes a complete and exact
statement of the position of the Church in the
great social controversy. While she does not
onpose the organization of w0rkin gmen for
any legitimate purpose, she has no tolerance
for the socialistic theories by which noisy fac
ton of the Labor Party seem bent upon de-
stroylng their cause. The land confiscation
scheme of Henry George and DR.. McGlynn is
condemned in the most positive terms. There
can no longer be any pretence on the part OF
the ex-pastor of st. Stephens that Rome has
never examined and pronounced upon the ques-
ton. If there was any reasonable doubt about
the Roman doctrine beforehand we never
could see that there was-there is certainly
none now. Priests who wish to teach that
property is theft that land ought to be taken
at once from its sO-called owners without one
penny of compensation must go outside the
Church to publish their vagaries. 1t Is also
understood that DR.. McGlynn has been person.
ally warned that if he does not appear at Rome
within forty days he will oe accommodated.
No well-informed person has expected any
other result than this from the reference OF the
case to the Vatican, where, whatever reasons
DIR. McGlynn may have had for not going to
Rome. the contumaciOus and even insulting
manner of his refusal to go could not pass I'M
noticed. The rumors of his reinstatement, of
interference on his behalf by Cardinal Glib
bons and Others were the gable of an ire
10 tpO of HnluHaH biacinlea and
deceived anybody who reflected for a moment
upon the position assumed by the priest toward
his ecclesiastical superiors. The emphasis of the
condemnation Of DR.. McGlynn is strengthened
by the Pope's handsome tribute to the discreet,
dignfied and resolute conduct of Archbishop
Corrigan. Nothing could be more sweeping
than this approval. The force and timeliness
of the Archbishop's censure OF a dangerous
doctrine and the moderation and forbearance
with which he treated the offending priest,
were widely recognized by his fellow citizens,
and we are all ready to congratulate him that
his behavior is so thoroughly appreciated by
the head of his Church. In little while even
the disconnected fragment of the parish of st.
Stephens will applaud his moral courage and
his kindly temper.
The pontifical decision places DR.. McGlynn
in an unpleasant position, for 1t obliges him to
| choose unequivocally between his socialism and
his priesthood while the importance attached
to his action has thus far been owing 10 his de-
termination to cling to both. His recent
| declarations give no reason for supposing that
he will submit to the Pope; 1t seems more
| likely that he will continue in his present
course, but he can no longer bring to the land
confscation movement the prestige OF an
orthodox clergyman of the most conservative
Of churches. Upon his followers and sympa
thizers among the clergy,-Dr Burtsell
Dr. Curran. and few others,-th'
effect of the Pope's letter will proba
bly, be more energetic. The Pope show
that he has not overlooked them, and announ
ces that proper instructions will shortly be is
sued for the correction of the rebelliOus." Nom
of these gentlemen have gone too far to re
treat and we presume that most of them vii
| hurry TO cover.